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Question

Difficulty: EasyVerbs, Tenses, and Aspect

Read the following sentence: 'The passengers were waiting patiently at the terminal when the torrential rain suddenly ________.' Which verb form correctly completes the sentence?

  1. startedAnswer
  2. B
    starts
  3. C
    has started
  4. D
    is starting

Answer

The past simple form 'started' correctly completes the sentence to show a past action interrupting an ongoing past event.
The sentence describes an ongoing action in the past ('were waiting') that was interrupted by a single completed action. In English grammar, the simple past tense ('started') is used for the interrupting event.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main clause verb tense
The main clause uses the past continuous tense ('were waiting'), establishing a past time frame for an ongoing event.
Understanding the established time frame is necessary to maintain proper sequence of tenses.
2
Identify the relationship between the main clause and the subordinate time clause introduced by 'when'
A sudden, completed action ('started') interrupted the ongoing background activity ('were waiting').
When a past continuous action is interrupted by another past event, the interrupting event takes the simple past tense.
3
Select the correct verb form
'started' is the only simple past verb form among the choices.
It maintains consistency of past tense and accurately reflects the aspect of a completed interrupting action.

Key Concept

Simple Past vs. Past Continuous Sequence of Tenses
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Topics

Verbs, Tenses, and Aspect

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